“Sam McGee” Study Guide
20 Multiple Choice Questions
- Characteristics of a narrative poem (1 question)
- Know the effect of the rhythm on the poem (1 question)
- Plot of the poem (8 questions)
- Speaker (2 questions)
- Mood (1 question)
- Refrain (1 question)
- Vocabulary (3 questions)
- Spelling Skill (1 question)
- Grammar Skill (2 questions)
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“The Cremation of Sam McGee”
After having read “The Cremation of Sam McGee”, you should be able to complete the four part assignment outlined below.
- Imagery
Draw a detailed, colored illustration depicting the final scene when the narrator opens the door of the furnace and sees, to his shock, Sam alive and well (and warm). Before you begin drawing, make a list of all the details of the scene. If you choose, you can collage this image together with magazine/internet pictures.
- Literary Terms
Refer to the Literary Terms Vocabulary study guide. Select 5 of the terms and give evidence from “The Cremation of Sam McGee” to demonstrate your understanding of these terms. Create a chart like the one below.
TERM #1
EVIDENCE FROM POEM & LINE #
TERM #2
EVIDENCE FROM POEM & LINE #
TERM #3
EVIDENCE FROM POEM & LINE #
TERM #4
EVIDENCE FROM POEM & LINE #
TERM #5
EVIDENCE FROM POEM & LINE #
- Analysis
Demonstrate your understanding of the poem by responding to the Analyzing the Poem questions below. (Answer questions 1-5.) All answers must be in complete sentences that restate the question.
Analyzing the Poem
1) In the first stanza, the speaker claims that strange things have happened in the Arctic region. What does he claim is the strangest of all?
2) Sam says he doesn't fear death, but something else. Describe what he fears.
3) What does Sam ask the speaker to do with his corpse? List some of the difficulties the speaker faces in accomplishing the task.
4) Explain how the speaker finally manages to keep his promise.
5) What surprise greets the speaker when he returns to check on the cremation?
- Evaluating the Poem
Give a 3-5 sentence answer to the following questions: Why do you think this poem has been so popular for so many years? What did you like best about it?